Rafael Benitez's side are now a point above the Gunners with a game in hand as their Spanish interim manager prepares to take the Blues to his former club Liverpool on Sunday.

The victory, which ended a run of three Premier League defeats away from home, came thanks to a clinical finishing display that put the game out of Fulham's reach before the interval.

In keeping with a run of one defeat in their last seven Premier League games, Martin Jol's side were in the ascendancy early on but they once again fell to defeat by their west London neighbours, extending a remarkable run of just one win in 33 years.

Luiz finds joy away from home

David Luiz's strike was his first Premier League goal away from Stamford Bridge. His first five in the English league had all come on home soil.

Source: Opta

Had Ruiz scored from Sascha Riether's right-wing cross or John Arne Riise injected more power into his shot halfway through the first half, the picture might have more closely reflected the game's flow.

However, it was Chelsea who took the lead, and in spectacular style as Luiz collected Eden Hazard's square ball and fired a stunning drive into the top corner.

Fulham almost replied instantly when Emanuelson cut in from the left and his effort was superbly tipped around the post by Cech. Dimitar Berbatov was then narrowly off target with another strike.

The hosts soon paid the price as Chelsea went further ahead two minutes before the break.

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Jol frustrated after 'harsh' defeat

Frank Lampard, aiming to take a step closer to Bobby Tambling's record of 202 goals for Chelsea on his 600th appearance, fired in a swerving free-kick that Schwarzer chose to save with his chest.

The resulting corner was initially cleared, but Juan Mata crossed to the back post where Terry thumped his header in.

Fulham's first-half woe was summed up by a booking for Ruiz, who stumbled under close attention from Terry and was booked for diving by referee Mike Dean.

Chelsea began the second half knocking the ball about with the confidence of a side with a two-goal cushion and Mata was inches away from making it three when he failed to reach Torres' cross.

At the other end, in a sign that it was not to be Fulham's night, Mladen Petric managed to divert team-mate Philippe Senderos's goalbound header over the bar while standing on the line.

Minutes later, Terry grabbed his second from another corner to put the game out of sight, nodding in at the back post after he was found by Torres' near-post header.

Fulham boss Martin Jol on Bryan Ruiz's booking for diving:

"If that is a dive, it's ridiculous, he lost his balance. Of course a player can lose his balance and fall down but it's never a booking. The only thing I said [to the referee] was that is why I can see you never played and I think he agreed.

"We couldn't get the goal we should have had in the first few minutes; Dimitar Berbatov had a few shots, Urby Emanuelson, Giorgos Karagounis and Mladen Petric had chances, but we didn't get the break and then it's always difficult. And then 3-0 if you didn't see the game, it was a bit harsh."

Chelsea boss Rafael Benitez on David Luiz's goal:

"I have seen him in training sessions scoring lots of goals and free kicks so he has the ability and the quality, he's very good player.

"Obviously to win is very important, to win with a clean sheet and scoring three goals is more important and to win a derby is even more important, so there are lots of positives.

"You talk about other teams [challenging for the Champions League], they have also players with experience. The main thing is to concentrate and use the quality that we have and stick together as a team. Everybody knows we have to be ready for every game, change players - they have to be ready because we still have two games a week."

Foul by Juan Mata on Eyong Enoh, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Giorgos Karagounis. Corner taken right-footed by Giorgos Karagounis from the left by-line to the near post, Philippe Senderos takes a shot. Victor Moses takes a shot. Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Juan Mata.

68:03 Substitution

Substitution Emboaba Oscar comes on in place of Eden Hazard.

66:29

Inswinging corner taken by Urby Emanuelson from the left by-line played to the near post, clearance made by Nascimento Ramires.

66:29 Substitution

Substitution John Arne Riise goes off and Hugo Rodallega comes on.

65:43

Frank Lampard takes a shot. Save by Mark Schwarzer.

65:30

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Blocked by Philippe Senderos.

64:31

Frank Lampard takes a shot. Blocked by Eyong Enoh.

63:58

Mladen Petric concedes a free kick for a foul on David Luiz. Free kick taken by Juan Mata.

63:12

Mladen Petric has an effort at goal from outside the box which goes wide right of the goal.

Torres is the third highest scorer this season after Suarez and VP, and he has probably had much less time on the pitch than those two and played in an ever changing environment. Where is Rooney, Bale, Tevez???

On one hand the rotation has been a good thing allowing some of the new generation to make their mark. However recent performances have shown RB has not picked the right team for the right occasion. For the FA semi, he clearly needed the class, fight and experience of Terry, Lamps, Cole (injured) and Torres.

Good result for Chelsea and surely they'll finish top 4 now. Suarez or Falcao would be good for next season. Torres doesn't suit the fold imo and one or both of the other 2 would really see some improvement and a possible challenge for top spot next season.

Great to see JT bag a brace, he should be in the team on merit but we have 4 quality CBs in Luiz, Terry, 'two goal' Ivanovic and Cahill. I actually agree with Rafa's rotation to keep the players fresh.

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